1966 LeMans Winning Ford GT40 Restoration

RK Motors of Charlotte, North Carolina knows more about racing history than we will ever comprehend, so we’re indebted to them for this rare opportunity. Instead of simply listing a car’s features and setting a price, they take us behind the scenes of the car’s restoration. But this isn’t a normal car.

The 24 hours of LeMans was always dominated by the top European manufacturers until Ford decided to show the world what an unlimited budget could accomplish. Making history in 1966, the GT40 dominated the race, with chassis # P1046 winning the race. Many simply believe that it was the 427 big block that allowed the Americans to overpower the Europeans, but these videos show how Shelby and his team made sure even the smallest detail was not overlooked for the 1966 season.

Going from the relatively light 289 small block to the 427 big block was not as simple as adding stiffer springs. The chassis itself required reinforcement and more downforce to cope with the higher top speed. The nose was sculpted around a larger radiator and the fiberglass tail was made paper thin to offset the heavy engine.

This is the third video in the series, but the history of this car should be viewed from the beginning. Restorations of this magnitude sometimes take several years to complete, so be sure to follow Autofluence more updates.